My Favorite Part of Texas

Kicking off this column last spring, I concluded early on that once I devoted a segment to Hill Country travel, I would have to start big; and there are few places in our region with the kind of breadth and character as Fredericksburg. Some of the earliest trips my wife and I took as a young married couple were in the form of weekends in this historic and charming Texas gem. Given its proximity to Dripping Springs as well as the major Texas cities around the fringe of the Hill Country, its also an easy day trip destination.

Since I can’t resist sharing a snippet of history, Fredericksburg was founded by German immigrants who settled in Texas during the nineteenth century. After initially being named Friedrichsburg, the community was later renamed after Prince Frederick of Prussia. That German heritage remains prevalent in the food, architecture and local traditions.

Fast forward to now, and its popularity as a travel destination for both Texans and out of state visitors is a big part of Fredericksburg’s modern identity. This means that for those planning a visit, you should do exactly that: plan. During holidays and summer weekends there can be crowds. But speaking from experience, don’t let that dissuade you, as they are manageable, and if you plan, not a distraction at all.

Something to Do

First choice on my list of Fredericksburg activities is a long, casual stroll up (then across and back down) Main Street. This is where the charm of the community shines. The town has been as successful as any at preserving its architecture and historical feel. Speaking for myself, this could take upwards of a half a day including spontaneous indulgences in ice cream, kettle corn, or a beverage.

Originally a bustling commercial hub, it offers a historic main street vibe like few others. Of course today, rather than blacksmiths and haberdashers, you’ll find countless storefronts of outfitters, restaurants, art galleries and more. For this traveler, a trip into Headquarters Hats and an art tour through Insight Gallery are mainstays of my own Main Street walks.

For WWII history fans, the National Museum of the Pacific War is a rewarding destination. U.S. Naval Fleet Admiral Nimitz was born in Fredericksburg and the community has honored his legacy along with those who served our country in the Pacific. The museum is easily accessed right off Main Street.

While I can’t do it full justice here, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the hundreds of vineyards, wineries and tasting rooms that make up the growing Texas wine trail. While more of a region than an actual trail, per se, it runs along and near highway 290 starting at Johnson City and finishing in Fredericksburg. It certainly deserves our time and attention (it involves wine after all!) but that’s a subject for another article.

Something to Eat

While Fredericksburg abounds with great dining options at all price points, its hard not to recommend you sit down for some German food, given the Deutschland connection. My top choice is Altdorf, an indoor/outdoor restaurant featuring traditional German fare along with the expected Texas staples. Our last lunch at Altdorf included live music on their patio.

I’ll also mention Crossroads Saloon & Steakhouse, for a date-night type dinner, as well as Ratskeller Bistro for breakfast. It is, as the English translation provides, in the basement of a historic, former hospital, and like everything else, right on Main Street.

Somewhere to Stay

This one is easy. Rent a Bed & Breakfast. Long before the emergence of VRBO or AirBnB, a local property manager, Gasthaus Schmidt, was a go-to resource for quaint, historic homes and cabins for overnight or weekend rental.

A number of the original nineteenth century homes around town were built as Sunday Houses. These were owned by ranching families from the surrounding areas which they would use when they came into town for church or shopping on “Sunday”. The same property manager still operates today and has more than 200 properties for rent.

If contemporary is more your lodging style, the Albert Hotel has recently opened on Main Street, although I have not had the opportunity to visit it.

Needless to say, Fredericksburg has remained on my travel rotation for nearly forty years for good reason. In fact, for a final endorsement, my better half and I will spend our 2025 New Year’s Eve there. And yes, we have a dinner reservation already set!

My Favorite Part of Texas is a recurring column celebrating Hill Country lifestyle highlighting music, culinary, regional travel and history. Joe Christenson is a native Texan and Dripping Springs resident, having lived and travelled throughout the great state of Texas.